1990-1991: A difficult year
![Ph_AUB_1991-11-8_2_1-46e[1].jpg](https://online-exhibit.aub.edu.lb/files/thumbnails/df6d8bce3c5a288197662da4fd925651.jpg "Ph_AUB_1991-11-8_2_1-46e[1].jpg")
On November 8, 1991, during the night, College Hall was targeted by a bomb, which demolished a great part of it: a guard, Munir Salha, sleeping in the basement died. Built in 1873, College Hall was the first building to be completed by the College, and was a real landmark of the University. Extensively damaged by the bomb, College Hall had to be demolished and rebuilt. The new College Hall Building, built to specifications to mirror the original building, was reopened in 1999.
![Ph_AUB_1991-11-8_2_1-46c[1].jpg](https://online-exhibit.aub.edu.lb/files/thumbnails/b9eaacefabed08396b7295f59ccb853b.jpg "Ph_AUB_1991-11-8_2_1-46c[1].jpg")
New York Times: BEIRUT, Lebanon, Friday, Nov. 8, 1991— A large bomb wrecked the Administration Building of the American University of Beirut before dawn today, and four people were slightly injured, the police said. The destruction of the landmark College Hall building was the first major physical damage suffered by the university, the most prestigious in the Middle East. It was to have celebrated its 125th anniversary today. The blast leveled much of College Hall, including the tall clock tower at one end of the building that stands at the main gate to the sprawling seaside campus, the police and witnesses said. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the explosion, which jolted Beirut residents awake. The University's American president, who lives in New York, interpreted the bombing as a symbolic attack on the United States. "I can't believe it's anything else," said Dr. Frederick Herter. "Nobody has anything against the University per se."
The New York Times. (1991, Nov. 8). New-York [N.Y: H.J. Raymond & Co.
http://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/08/world/4-hurt-by-beirut-bomb-in-american-university.html
Following the explosion of College Hall, a Protection Office, staffed by guards, and backed up by internal security officers, was established on campus, and entrusted with the mission of the safety of the University.
![Captain Saadallah Shalak receiving an award, 2003 PhAUB2003-4-17_4_1-6[1].jpg](https://online-exhibit.aub.edu.lb/files/thumbnails/2092d24677eae8f6a49a93544a5637c0.jpg "Captain Saadallah Shalak receiving an award, 2003 PhAUB2003-4-17_4_1-6[1].jpg")
After the College Hall explosion in 1991, Captain Saadallah Shalak joined AUB after retiring from the Lebanese Internal Security Forces, as Head of the Protection Office, a position he continues to hold to this day.
Throughout the years, the Protection Office has recruited many dedicated men and women, who have served AUB and its community faithfully for many long years. After 40 years of dedicated service, Abou Haytham retired in September 2015. Through many messages and words of friendship, the community expressed its gratitude for his long years of service.
Mariam Chehine, age 22, was the first female recruit to staff the Protection office. Ms. Chehine proudly assumed her position as AUB's first watchwoman taking her place alongside 103 other guards and memebrs of the security team.